The 2025 Washington Legislature directed the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB) to provide grants to rural ports for infrastructure repair, improvement, and development projects for the purpose of rural economic development.
Program criteria
One application per jurisdiction
A jurisdiction may submit only one application to the Rural Ports Program.
Eligible jurisdictions
Port District as defined under RCW 53
Tribal Port and Marine Facilities
Eligible projects
Infrastructure repair, improvement, and development projects for the purpose of rural economic development:
- Enable and encourage private sector business creation or expansion
- Enhance the vitality and livability of the community
- Enhance local tourism
Eligible activities
New construction, refurbishment, repair, replacement, and rehabilitation of publicly owned infrastructure and facilities.
- Bridge
- Earth Stabilization
- Electricity/Natural Gas
- Public Building or Structure
- Parks and Recreation Facilities*
- Pedestrian and Bicyclist Amenities*
- Port Facilities
- Road
- Road
- Sanitary Sewer
- Stormwater
- Telecommunications/Broadband*
- Water
*Must be part of a larger project, not stand-alone activities.
Ineligible activities
No maintenance. No rolling stock. No stand-alone planning projects. Funds may not be used for administrative costs unless directly related to external construction management and shall not exceed 10% of the grant award. Operating expenses are ineligible for reimbursement from CERB.
Maximum grant award
- Tier 1: Frontier 1 & 2 Counties: $1,000,000
- Tier 2: Rural Counties & Communities: $750,000
- Tier 3: Match Projects: $250,000
Match requirements (total project cost)
- Tier 1: Frontier 1 & 2 Counties: 10%
- Tier 2: Rural Counties & Communities: 20%
- Tier 3: Match Projects: 80%
Documents needed to apply
- Resolution approving the submittal of the application
- Evidence of Public Notice
- Evidence of Local Support: Letter of support from the Associate Development Organization (ADO) or Federally Recognized Tribe
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction Certification
- CERB EZ1 Form
Other funding sources have been explored
Documentation that other funding is not available for this project.
Documentation of need for project
Examples of documentation:
- Planning Study
- Community Survey
- Documented Community Feedback
- Bid for failing infrastructure
- Retention/recapture of jobs
Readiness to proceed to construction
Must be able to complete pre-contract conditions within 6 months of award.
Pre-Contract Conditions:
- Final Budget
- Final Scope of Work
- SEPA/NEPA Attestment
- Permits Attestment
- Cultural Resources Review Completed (CERB)
- Evidence that Match is Secured
Must begin construction activities within 6 months of contract execution.
Construction completion
Construction project must be completed within 4 years from contract execution.
Reporting requirements
Quarterly during construction.
Project updates for 5 years after project completion.
Reimbursement documentation
Reimbursement includes both invoices that have been paid and invoices due within 30 days of reimbursement request.
CERB funds are disbursed on reimbursement-only basis for eligible costs within the approved project’s scope of work. CERB funds will be reimbursed and the identified match funds will be paid out, in concert at the same percentages as the total project cost split, until CERB funds or matching funds are exhausted.